10 STEP KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE
What is Korean skin care?
Korean Skin Care or K-beauty focuses on prevention and protection rather than the use of products to undo damage. Prevention is always better, because, once the damage is done, it can be hard to recover skin to its original state
What is Glass Skin?
Glass skin is a term for exceptionally smooth, even-toned and lustrous skin that’s so flawless it has the appearance of glass. It’s simply a clear and elegant way of describing a certain type of enviable complexion.
10 Step Routine
The 10 Step routine is the most widely used method of performing a Korean skin care routine.
1. Oil-based cleanser
2. Water-based cleanser
3. Exfoliant
4. Toner
5. Essence
6. Treatments
7. Sheet mask
8. Eye cream
9. Moisturizer
10. Sun Protection
1. Oil-based cleanser
An oil cleanser is a cleanser that contains oils. These oils work together to break down stubborn makeup and dirt, while also cleansing and moisturizing the skin.
These oils are easily absorbed by the skin and non-comedogenic, which means that, even if you have acne-prone skin, your pores won’t clog and cause breakouts.
For those with dry skin, this type of cleanser will help you remove impurities without drying your skin. Oil and water tend to repel each other, which means that a water-based cleanser won’t effectively remove all the oil-based impurities on your skin.
2. Water-based Cleanser
"water-based" refers to the fact that the cleanser contains water as its main ingredient. This includes foams, gels, creams, etc. A water-based cleanser is the best to remove water-based impurities, like sweat, from your skin.
This is the type of cleanser most people likely think of when they hear the word “cleanser.” This is usually a foaming liquid (or bar) that removes the remaining impurities left behind by the oil cleanser, such as sweat and dirt.
It takes a second cleanser to completely remove all impurities from the face. Water based cleansers remove any residue that your oil cleanser did not remove as well as help remove any remaining residue from the oil cleanser. They typically come in gel and foam textures.
Its best to focus on water based cleansers that are hydrating and balancing. To maintain and balance the skin's pH, it is advisable to use water based cleansers that have a low pH, of 5.5.
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
3. Exfoliant
This is a key step in Korean skin care, it’s a important regular step that you shouldn’t skip.
Koreans typically exfoliate their skin 2-3 times per week using either a physical or chemical exfoliator. Physical exfoliators contain small grains that slough off dead skin cells, while chemical exfoliators use acids to dissolve them. This helps to brighten the complexion, unclog pores, and prevent breakouts.
Exfoliants are scrubs, peels, and pads. These products help remove dead skin cells and buildup. Depending on your skin type, it is typically recommended that you only use it once a week or twice a week.
When using chemical exfoliants, it is important to use a sunscreen. Chemical exfoliants like; BHA/PHA/AHA, tends to make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
NOTE: If you have sensitive skin, include this step once a week and go from there.
DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Pads
4. Toner
The work of toner’s is to balance the pH of your skin and bring moisture back to the skin, which can be thrown off by a number of things, like using harsh cleansers or tap water, restore any lost nutrients, and prep the skin to better absorb your serums and moisturizers.
There are different types of toners, the most important thing is that you choose one that suits your skin type better. It goes from a hydrating toner, to an exfoliating one which helps to remove dead skin cells.
Toners help remove any remaining residue while also repairing your skin's barrier and also help the skin absorb the products that come after it more effectively.
Korean skincare toners do not contain drying alcohol contents. Korean toners are more hydrating and less irritating to the skin. They are applied by cotton pad or patting into the skin.
5. Essence
Essences are formulated with fermented ingredients and are meant to hydrate and protect skin. Essences are water-based treatments that are lightweight and packed with moisturizing, protecting, and anti-aging ingredients. They help keep skin hydrated, healthy, and balanced. In combination with cleansing and toning, they help enhance the effectiveness of the treatment products applied afterwards.
6. Treatments
Treatment is most often referred to as "serum" it is focused on aiding a specific problem. They contain concentrated active ingredients meant to target specific issues, such as wrinkles or acne.
Facial treatments are designed to treat a specific skin concern. Like dehydrated skin, dull skin, dark spots, and pimple.
You can pick just one treatment or use different ones in your Korean skin care routine, the skin is the limit! Just remember to apply them depending on the texture, with the lighter ones first and then the rest; and choose the ones that best attend to your main skin concerns.
7. Sheet Mask
A Sheet mask is a thin sheet of fabric that is soaked in a serum or essence and then applied to the face. It’s usually left on for 15-20 minutes on the skin, after which the mask is removed and is rinsed off with water. Like exfoliants, sheet masks aren’t something that needs to be done every day.
They can be used for all skin type, from dry skin to oily skin and sensitive skin and more, they can be used 2-3 times a week to treat specific skin concerns
Sheet masks are a semi-weekly ritual that replenishes your skin's nutrients and moisture. Wash-off masks help remove deeply rooted impurities in the skin while helping exfoliate. Sleep masks help add an extra layer of moisture while you sleep.
Adding face masks to your routine help give your skin that extra boost while also being very relaxing and rejuvenating to use.
Korean sheet masks are especially popular because they are often packed with hydrating, calming, and brightening ingredients like ginseng, Centella Asiatica, and green tea.
8. Eye Care
Eye creams and eye patches care are for the most sensitive and delicate skin areas while targeting concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. It is more advisable recommend you use your eye cream daily, both morning and night. For eye patches, they can be used daily or as desired throughout the week. Eye gels, creams, or oils are made to target the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes while helping with darkness, puffiness, and fine lines.
9. Moisturizer
Moisturizers come in creams, gels, lotions, and oil form, some do contain sun protection. Moisturizers are the last key product in a skin care routine, they help lock in all the super hydrating products used before it. While it does help introduce more hydration, its main job is to prevent moisture from leaving the skin.
People like to use a different moisturizer in the morning than they do at night. Most people commonly like to use a lighter, gel moisturizer during the day and a heavier, more emollient moisturizer at night. The most important is to use a moisturizer that best suits your skin type.
For those who have oily skin or combination skin, moisturizers are still important and they won’t cause excess oil if the right product is been used. Moisturizing helps to prevent dryness and flakiness, and it can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moreover, most moisturizers help create a shield around the skin that prevents it from being damaged by external factors that can cause breakouts in acne-prone skin, irritation, and redness.
how do you know which moisturizer you should pick?
Well this all depends on your skin types and the season.
For combination skin or oily skin, it is recommended to use a gel moisturizer, as they tend to get absorbed more easily by the skin and don’t leave that greasy residue which tends to be annoying. This also applies during summer, where a lighter moisturizer is better than a heavier one.
For dry skin, cream moisturizers are better they’re packed with deeply moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, that bind water into the skin and help get rid of dry patches. The colder months of the year usually demand this type of moisturizer.
For those with sensitive skin, pick a fragrance-free moisturizers to avoid irritation and redness.
Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream
10. Sun Protection
Sunscreen is a important part of the k-beauty steps. It is often referred to as "step number one," even if it is the last one. Sunscreens are categorized as chemical or mineral based on their active ingredients. Chemical sunscreens use chemicals to filter out the sun's damaging UV rays. Mineral sunscreens use active ingredients that reflect the sun's rays. While both are effective as sun protection, we typically recommend mineral sunscreens.
The effects of sun damage are now been known. Products, like foundation and moisturizer, are now being sold with built-in SPF. Even if you put on this products that contain SPF, it’s still very important to apply moisturizer either before or after applying this product. Look for sunscreens that contain broadband protection, meaning they have both SPF (UVB protection) and PA (UVA protection).
Regular use of sunscreen can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and prevent hyperpigmentation
It is very important to always re-apply sunscreen throughout the day for full coverage protection.
ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50
For more information or questions you can leave a comment or send me an email imnorahadid@gmail.com.